Spreader assembly with surface-clearing blower

ABSTRACT

A spreader assembly with surface-clearing blower includes a rotary or broadcast spreader mounted on a frame for distribution and deposition of granular material in an area proximate the spreader assembly, a blower also mounted on the frame and with one or more ducts or hoses for conveying forced air to a surface proximate the spreader assembly to be cleared of deposited material. Granular material may include seed, ice-melt compound or salt, or fertilizer or other lawn or garden amendment or additive. The frame is mounted on the powered drive unit of a walk-behind mower to replace the mower deck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a motorized apparatus for spreading granular material such as dry fertilizer and, in particular, to a spreader assembly with forced air blower mounted to the front of a walk behind motorized drive assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Devices for evenly spreading granular materials, such as de-icing compounds, seed, fertilizer, pesticide, or soil amendments such gypsum, are known in the prior art and include broadcast spreaders and drop spreaders. Drop spreaders generally drop material straight down in a width equal to that of the spreader hopper and are useful for covering areas than can be traversed in straight lines, in which case they generate little waste. Considerable care must be used, however, to avoid overlapping or failing to adjoin application lanes. If lanes fail to adjoin, gaps are created where material is not deposited. If lanes overlap, twice the amount of material may be deposited as desired. In the case of fertilizer or grass seed, such misapplication will become evident and long term as the lawn develops over a season. Broadcast spreaders, also referred to as rotary spreaders since the device usually uses a rotating wheel, disc or other form of rotary impeller to distribute material radially outward from the spreader, avoid some of these problems since they are designed to provide overlapping application of material, often in non-parallel application lanes. The material in the broadcast spreader hopper drops at a selected rate, governed typically by setting the size of a hopper aperture, from the hopper onto the spinning rotary impeller that then disperses the material over the desired surface, such as a lawn. Overlapping application lanes assure complete coverage to avoid missing any portions of the application surface. The method of material distribution typically scatters material in an arc of 360° or less about the axis of the rotary impeller and, therefore, often deposits material in undesired locations such as sidewalks, driveways or parking lots adjacent to the application surface.

After application of fertilizer to a lawn, for example, a user must typically sweep adjacent paved areas to remove fertilizer granules that otherwise would be walked upon and tracked into buildings. Removal of fertilizer granules from sidewalks and other pedestrian walkways in a commercial setting is particularly important as the granules present an unkempt appearance, are unpleasant for customers and visitors to walk upon, and in high traffic areas can result in significant deposition of fertilizer material upon carpeting and other interior floor surfaces, perhaps scratching, staining or otherwise marring or damaging the surfaces. In addition, state or local law may require that granules containing pesticide be removed from paved surfaces. What is needed in the art is a spreader that can provide an automated means of clearing surfaces adjacent to an application surface of unwanted deposited material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a spreader assembly may include a mobile support element or base, a spreader attached to and conveyed by the support element, and means for directing a stream of air to a portion of the surface proximate the support element to substantially clear the surface of granular material deposited on the surface by the spreader.

More specifically, the spreader assembly may include a mobile frame assembly comprising a typically rectangular, horizontally disposed frame, a rotary or broadcast spreader mounted to and above the frame, a means for producing a directed stream of air flowing at relatively high velocity, such as a forced-air blower, and one or more means for directing the stream of air downward toward a surface to be cleared of granular material deposited by the spreader, such as a hose or duct with a opening located distal from the blower and located proximate the surface to be cleared. The spreader assembly may include means for selectively opening or closing one or more of such means for directing, such as valves controlling the flow of air through hoses or ducts. Wheels are attached to the frame to allow the spreader assembly to be rolled along the ground and a source of power is provided to power the blower.

The spreader assembly with surface-clearing blower may further include a powered drive unit including an engine and driven wheels. The powered drive unit is typically provided by removing the mower deck from a walk-behind mower and replacing the mower deck with the spreader frame assembly described above. In such case, the frame is typically provided with two, freely rotating, swiveling wheels attached to the front end of the frame. The back end of the frame is bolted to the powered drive unit of the walk-behind mower, which is typically provided with two, transverse, engine-driven wheels. The spreader assembly is therefore supported by two driven wheels at the rear of the spreader assembly and two swiveling wheels at the front of the spreader assembly.

The blower is typically powered by a belt and pulley drive system that includes an engine-powered pulley on the powered drive unit. The engine-powered or driving pulley is typically the same pulley previously used to power the belt-driven mower blade of the disengaged mower deck. A belt runs between the powered driving pulley and a driven pulley attached to the shaft of the blower fan. Controls on the powered drive unit previously used to engage and disengage power to the mower blade, such as via a slack belt clutch, are now used to engage and disengage power to the blower. The blower may therefore be selectively operated during a spreading operation.

Because the mower deck is removed and replaced with the lighter-weight frame that supports the spreader and blower, the machine is much lighter overall and is easier to use on hillsides because the reduced weight requires less force from the powered drive unit engine to drive the driven wheels and requires less operator force when manipulating the powered drive unit handle or handles to make turns. In addition, the blower enables the operator to remove deposited granules from selected portions of an application surface without requiring additional equipment.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, right perspective view of an embodiment of spreader blower having three, selectable, flexible air ducts.

FIG. 2 is a left, side view of an embodiment of a spreader blower having a single air duct and showing a slack belt clutch system.

FIG. 3 is a left, side view of an embodiment of a spreader blower having a single air duct and having an electric clutch mounted below the engine and above the driving pulley.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of the spreader assembly with surface-clearing blower of the present invention indicated by the reference numeral 100. The spreader assembly 100 includes a mobile support element or base such as a metal frame 105. The metal frame 105 is typically horizontally disposed and generally rectangular. The frame 105 has a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis running from the front 110 of the frame 105 to the back 115 of the frame 105, and a horizontally disposed transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A rotary spreader 120, otherwise known as a broadcast spreader, is mounted to and above the frame 105 by any sufficiently operable means such as a metal post 125 attached to and projecting upward from the frame 105. Metal brackets or flanges 130 may be used to attach the spreader 120 to the post 125. A rotary spreader 120 of the type shown in the figures typically includes a hopper 135 for storing granular material to be distributed by the spreader 120. An aperture (not shown) at or near the bottom of the hopper 135 allows the stored material to drop under force of gravity to a rotary impeller 140. The rotary impeller 140 rotates about a vertical axis and includes fins or flanges 145 for flinging granular material radially outward from the rotary impeller 140 as it rotates at sufficient speed. The rotary impeller 140 may therefore distribute granular material from the hopper 135 in an approximately 360° radial arc about the spreader 120 and upon a selected application surface such as a lawn. Shields (not shown) placed proximate the impeller 140 may be used to narrow the arc and, in particular, to prevent material from being directed toward the operator. A sliding gate or other apparatus (not shown) located at the bottom of the hopper 135 may be provided to adjust the hopper aperture size for varying the material feed rate from the hopper 135 to the rotary impeller 140. The rotary impeller 140 is typically rotated under power provided by an electric motor 165.

Since a rotary spreader 120 will typically distribute material from the hopper 135 in relatively wide arc about the spreader 120, the spreader assembly 100 of the present invention provides a means for producing a directed stream of air flowing at relatively high velocity, such as a forced-air blower 150, and one or more means for directing the stream of air downward toward a surface to be cleared of granular material deposited by the spreader 120, such as a hose 155 or duct 160 with a distal opening 280 located proximate the surface to be cleared. The spreader assembly 100 may include means for selectively opening or closing one or more of the hoses 155 or ducts 160, such as valves 170 controlling the flow of air through hoses 155 or ducts 160.

The spreader assembly 100 with surface-clearing blower 150 may further include a powered drive unit 200 including an engine 205 and driven wheels 210 powered by the engine 205. The powered drive unit 200 is typically provided by removing the mower deck from a conventional walk-behind mower and replacing the mower deck with the spreader frame 105 described above. In such case, the frame 105 is typically provided with two, freely rotating, swiveling, front wheels 175 attached to the front end 110 of the frame 105. The back end 115 of the frame 105 is bolted or otherwise attached to the powered drive unit 200, which is typically provided with two, transverse, engine-driven wheels 210. The spreader assembly 100 is therefore supported by two driven wheels 210 at the rear of the spreader assembly 100 and two swiveling wheels 175 at the front of the spreader assembly 100 that allow the spreader assembly 100 to be rolled along the ground.

The electric motor 165 receives power to drive the rotary impeller 140 from the powered drive unit 200 electrical system which may comprise a battery or engine-powered electrical generator. As shown in FIG. 1, a switch 215 is typically mounted on the powered drive unit console 220 or handle 225 for turning the electric motor 165 on or off, causing the rotary impeller 140 to rotate or cease rotating, respectively.

A lever 227, mounted on or near the console 220 or handle 225, is attached through linkages to the above-referenced gate so that the operator may move the lever 227 to open or close the gate, thereby providing a ready means for initiating or halting distribution of the granular material by the spreader 120.

A source of power is provided to rotate the fan 250 of the blower 150. This may comprise an electric motor or other means, however, the blower 150 is typically powered by a belt and pulley drive system that engages an engine-powered driving pulley 230 on the powered drive unit 200 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The driving pulley 230 is typically the same pulley previously used to power the mower blade of the disengaged mower deck and is provided with the powered drive unit 200. A belt 235 runs between the powered pulley 230 and a driven blower pulley 240 attached to the shaft of the blower fan 250. See FIG. 2 wherein the housing of the blower 150 is partially broken away to show the fan 250 inside the blower 150. Controls, such as a control lever 255, on the powered drive unit 200 previously used to engage and disengage power to the mower blade are now used to engage and disengage power to the blower 150. The blower 150 may therefore be selectively operated during a spreading operation to initiate or halt airflow from the blower 150 as desired.

Typical means for engaging or disengaging power to the blower 150 include an electric clutch 260 (see FIG. 3) positioned in the power train between the power drive unit engine 205 and the driving pulley 230. The same controls on the power drive unit 200 provided for engaging or disengaging power to the previously attached mower deck may be used to control the electric clutch 260.

Another means for engaging or disengaging power to the blower 150 includes a tensioning or idler pulley 270 (see FIG. 2) that may be moved relative to the belt 235 running between the engine pulley 230 and blower pulley 240. The tensioning pulley 270 may be moved to a first position wherein tension is increased upon the belt 235 thereby tightening the belt 235 upon the engine and blower pulleys sufficiently to cause the belt 235 to grip both the engine and blower pulleys so that rotation from the engine pulley 230 is transmitted from the rotating belt 235 to induce rotation in the blower pulley 240. The tensioning pulley 270 may be moved to a second position wherein tension is released upon the belt 235 thereby loosening the belt's frictional engagement with the engine pulley 230 and blower pulley 240 so that one or both pulleys slip relative to the belt 235 and rotation is not transmitted from the engine pulley 230 to the blower pulley 240. The tensioning pulley 270 is typically selectively moved between the first position and second position by moving the lever 255 engaged via linkages with the tensioning pulley 270 and mounted near the handle 225 and/or console 220 of the powered drive unit 200.

The blower 150 includes a casing or housing that houses the fan 250 or impeller. A first opening (not shown) in the blower housing allows air to enter the housing as the fan 250 is rotated. A second opening (nozzle aperture 280) allows air to be expelled from the blower 150 as the fan 250 is rotated. The second opening 280 is generally located at the terminal or distal end of an air duct 160 or air hose 155. Therefore, as the fan 250 is rotated air is expelled from the blower 150 through the nozzle aperture 280 and replacement air is drawn into the blower 150 from the first opening proximate the fan 250. The fan 250 and blower housing are typically arranged to form what is generally known in the art as a squirrel cage fan or blower.

In one embodiment of the spreader assembly 100, a duct 160 is attached to the blower 150 and extends generally transversely outward to the lateral edge of the frame 105. The duct 160 is also angled downward to direct a stream of air produced by the blower 150 at an area of the application surface selected to be cleared of deposited granular material. As the spreader assembly 100 is rolled past the selected surface, the nozzle aperture 280, passes over or in close proximity to the selected area and the force of the stream of air emitted from the nozzle aperture 280 blows the deposited granular material off of the proximate selected area. For example, after using the spreader assembly 100 to distribute and deposit granular fertilizer upon a lawn, the spreader assembly 100 may be passed near a sidewalk adjacent to the lawn so that the blower cleans the sidewalk of deposited fertilizer granules.

In another embodiment of the spreader assembly 100, a manifold 285 is connected to the blower 150 for distributing air flow from the blower 150 to several ducts or hoses 155 (see FIG. 1). If three hoses 155 are used, as shown in FIG. 1, they are typically positioned so that a first hose 155 a projects forward of the spreader assembly frame 105, a second hose 155 b projects leftward of the frame 105 (as viewed from the front of the spreader assembly 100), and a third hose 155 c projects rightward of the frame 105. The terminal end of each hose 155 may be referred to as a nozzle. Each nozzle is positioned within approximately 12 inches of the selected surface. Air flow may be selectively directed to any or all of the three hoses 155 by manipulating valves 170 placed along each hose 155. In FIG. 1, ball valves 170 are shown positioned along each hose 155 so that valve actuators or levers 290 associated with each valve 170 project upward from the valve 170. Each lever 290 may be turned to move the valve 170 from an open to a closed position or any selected intermediate position. Alternatively, the valves 170 may be controlled electronically by electromechanical devices known in the prior art such as solenoids.

In one embodiment, the rotations per minute (RPM) of the powered drive unit engine 205 is approximately 3300, the engine pulley 230 is about 7″ in diameter, the blower pulley 240 is about 5″ in diameter, and the blower fan's 250 RPM are between approximately 4,400 and 5,500, as determined by engine RMP and the pulley diameter ratios. The blower fan 250 is approximately between 9 and 10″ in diameter and typically has between 40 and 60 blades. This embodiment will provide sufficient air flow to move most granular material typically applied by broadcast spreaders when the nozzle or nozzles are positioned within about 10″ of the selected surface.

The spreader assembly 100 may be used to spread granular material, such as fertilizer, insecticide, or various soil amendments, upon an application surface, such as a lawn, while clearing nearby surfaces, such as sidewalks and driveways, of deposited material according to the following steps. Note that certain steps may be performed in an order varying from those given here, as long as the objective of clearing selected surfaces is accomplished.

First, the hopper 135 is partially filled with material to be distributed by the spreader 120. Before adding the material to the hopper 135, lever 227 should be moved as required to close the hopper gate. Next, the engine 205 of the powered drive unit 200 is started and power is provided to the driven wheels 210 to begin forward motion of the spreader assembly 100 along a selected application lane upon an application surface. As the spreader assembly 100 moves forward, the operator typically walks behind the powered unit 200, holding onto the handle(s) 225. The switch 215 controlling power to the spreader motor 165 is turned, pushed, pulled or otherwise manipulated to an “on” position so that the spreader motor 165 is energized and begins turning the rotary impeller 140. The gate lever 227 is manipulated to open the gate so that material may flow from the hopper 135, through the hopper aperture and gate, and onto the rotary impeller 140.

While material is flung from the rotary impeller 140, some material may land on surfaces adjoining the application surface. To clear material from such surfaces, the blower 150 is engaged with the engine 205 by manipulating the clutch lever 255. If an electric clutch 260 is used, proper manipulation of the clutch lever 255 (or electrical switch as may be provided) causes the electric clutch 260 to engage the driving pulley 230 with the engine 205. If a slack clutch is used, proper manipulation of the lever 255 moves the tensioning pulley 270 against the belt 235 to increase belt tension against the driving and driven pulleys 230 and 240. In either case, power from the engine 205 is thereby provided to the blower fan 250. The operator may then position the spreader assembly 100, and particularly the hose or duct nozzle apertures 280, proximate a surface to be cleared of deposited material. This operation may occur while spreading material with the spreader 120 or afterwards, after the spreading operation is complete. If a spreader assembly 100 with multiple hoses 155 is used, the hose valves 170 may be set to open or closed positions as needed. For example, to clear a surface to the right of the spreader assembly 100, hose 155 b would be utilized and the associated valve 170 opened. To clear a surface to the left of the spreader assembly 100, hose 155 c would be similarly used. To clear a surface directly in the path of the spreader assembly 100, hose 155 a would be used.

In a further embodiment of the spreader assembly 100, the blower 150 and duct 160 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are mounted upon the frame 105 so that the blower 150 and associated duct 160 may be swiveled about an axis typically coincident or parallel to the fan axis to direct the duct nozzle any selected radial position.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable equivalents thereof. 

1. A spreader assembly comprising: a mobile support element, a spreader attached to and conveyed by said support element, said spreader including a means for depositing granular material upon a surface proximate said support element, and means for directing a stream of air to a portion of said surface to substantially clear said surface of said deposited material.
 2. The spreader assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for directing a stream of air comprises a blower mounted upon said mobile support element and a duct or hose attached to said blower for receiving stream of air from said blower and conveying said stream of air to said surface.
 3. The spreader assembly of claim 1 wherein said spreader comprises a rotary spreader having a rotary impeller powered by an electric motor.
 4. The spreader assembly of claim 1 wherein said blower is powered by an internal combustion engine.
 5. A spreader assembly comprising: a mobile base, a powered drive unit for moving said base across a ground surface, said mobile base projecting from said drive unit, a spreader mounted to said base, and means for producing and directing a stream of air to a selected portion of said ground surface proximate said base to substantially clear said portion of debris.
 6. The spreader assembly of claim 5 wherein said mobile base comprises a generally rectangular, horizontally disposed frame.
 7. The spreader assembly of claim 5 further comprising an engine for powering said powered drive unit.
 8. The spreader assembly of claim 5 wherein said spreader comprises a hopper mounted to said mobile base and means for distributing granular material from said hopper to a portion of said ground surface proximate said base.
 9. The spreader assembly of claim 5 wherein said spreader comprises a rotary spreader.
 10. The spreader assembly of claim 5 further comprising a blower mounted upon said base, said blower comprising a rotating fan blade and nozzle for receiving a stream of air produced by said blade.
 11. The spreader assembly of claim 10 further comprising means for directing said stream of air downward toward said ground surface.
 12. The spreader assembly of claim 11 wherein said means for directing comprises one or more lengths of hose or duct connected to aid blower to receive said stream of air.
 13. The spreader assembly of claim 12 further comprising means for selectively opening or closing one or more of said hoses or ducts.
 14. The spreader assembly of claim 13 where said means for selectively opening or closing comprises valves adapted to control the flow of air through said hoses or ducts.
 15. A spreader assembly for spreading seed, fertilizer or pesticide granules, or other granular material upon a lawn, the assembly comprising: a spreader for distributing granular upon a lawn, said spreader mounted upon a rolling base, a blower mounted to said base for directing a flow of air generally downward and outward from said base, said flow having sufficient velocity and volume to remove a substantial portion of said granules from a selected area of said ground surface.
 16. The spreader assembly of claim 15 further comprising a powered drive unit attached to said base for driving said base across a ground surface, said powered drive unit including driven wheels and an engine for driving said wheels.
 17. The spreader assembly of claim 15 further comprising an engine for powering said blower and an electric motor for powering a rotary impeller.
 18. The spreader assembly of claim 17 further comprising a belt connecting a first pulley driven by said engine to a second pulley attached to the fan blade of said blower, whereby rotative force conveyed to said first pulley by said engine is further conveyed by movement of said belt to said second pulley and then to said blade.
 19. The spreader assembly of claim 18 further comprising an electronic clutch for selectively engaging and disengaging power from said engine to said first pulley.
 20. The spreader assembly of claim 18 further comprising a slack clutch for selectively engaging and disengaging power from said first pulley to said second pulley. 